Disclaimer Nope don't belong to me, I checked but it turns out this bloke… you get the idea…

Two.

Clarice was sat in Pearsall's office, waiting, he had asked her to report immediately she presumed it was about Dr Lecter's letter. They wouldn't find anything, he wasn't thick, Clarice covered a yawn with her hand, tiredness catching up with her. *Stay awake damn you! * she cursed herself mentally, at that moment she heard the telltale squeak of the office door behind her, and she stood.

"Sit down Starling" she did as she was told, trying to keep her eyelids open, it had been a boring day, as soon as she had handed the letter over she'd been dismissed. "We've hit gold" Pearsall continued, a smile on his face.

"I'm sorry sir?" no way, no way!

"The letter was posted in Paris Agent Starling, we've traced it"

Silence, Starling couldn't believe what she was hearing; Dr Lecter wouldn't slip up! He was too intelligent, too clever, how could he? Something just wasn't right. Pearsall seemed to take her silence for stunned approval for his greasy smile increased, obviously his head was full of the glory of catching one of the FBI's 10 Most Wanted. "He's slipped up Starling. I've word from above" a pause so that she can appreciate how he is in a position of far more power than her "and they want everything go go go! The bastard's coming home this time"

"You've yet to catch him - Sir" she thought to remind him, her expression sceptical.

"True. I'm sure you'll be a little more enthusiastic when you learn of whose heading this team…"

"Who?" I wonder if I'm even on it?

"You Starling, after all, Lecter has this 'thing' for you.."

"I'm bait"

Pearsall looks uncomfortable he feels a bit bad about this, but honestly, "Do you want to stay a teacher for the remainder of your career Starling?" her face is answer enough "You fly out tomorrow morning, don't miss the plane. Paris has agreed to co-operate and you'll have all expenses paid".

"Yes sir" full FBI agent mode, Pearsall plays his last card,

"If you catch him Starling, the powers that be will give you Behavioural Sciences -on a golden plate. It's a hell of an opportunity".

Clarice can't help that her mouth is open in shock, wow, they really want Lecter to offer me "Directorship?"

"You've been the Director for Instruction of Guns for a while Starling. You're perfectly able, but you need the experience, get Lecter and we couldn't possibly not give you the job". He's being nice and they both know it, Crawford left a gap that hasn't been filled by a permanent but it is a good opportunity, it's all Clarice has ever wanted, her dad - damn always her dad, go to hell Lecter.

"Thank you sir" she stands, as he does, and takes the case file, although she already has a copy.

"Be careful Starling, Jack would-" Pearsall stops unsure about what to say, Clarice saves him the bother.

"I know, I will be. Good bye sir" she leaves him stood with the strange feeling that Jack Crawford would not be happy with him about this turn of events.

-----

When Clarice got home, she slammed her front door, kicked off her shoes, stood on her broken coffee mug, swore as it cut her foot, swore again at the coffee stain, swore yet again at the blood now joining it, and finally just stood there and tried to remember every swear word she had ever ever heard. Then she repeated them.

She was tempted to do so again, only something caught her eye, another letter was propped up against a vase on her kitchen table, originally the vase had held a few what could once have been termed as flowers, but had dried and shrivelled and turned an unattractive brown. Now though, they had gone, and instead, in the vase was sat a bunch of yellow and cream daffodils, with some fern, they made a pretty picture, against her pale yellow painted kitchen walls.

She had frozen, but now she reached for her .45 and cocked it, her bleeding foot forgotten as she very carefully made her way into her own kitchen, suddenly it seemed too quiet, no sound, her breath coming so loud, making waves in that thick silence. When she made it to the letter she bent her head on impulse and smelt the flowers- so very fresh and sweet! Picking up the letter, she saw that it was engraved with one word: Clarice. Doctor Lecter had been here, might still be here, her hand shook as she opened the letter, forgetting the gloves, the seal.

Hello Clarice,

I hope you appreciate the flowers? Simple I know, but the ones you had were such a poor excuse really.

No doubt your best friend the FBI has traced my whereabouts? No doubt then that they have put you on the case. After all you are my one 'weakness' are you not? Does it please you, give you a sense of power to know that you are my 'weakness'?

I'm looking forward to our discussion Clarice; perhaps you will be able to join me for another special dinner? I do believe you never had a chance to sample the main course last time, such a pity, if I do say so myself, I am a rather good cook. I should like to cook for you Clarice, especially after looking at the rather pitiful contents of your fridge. Now really Clarice, is that any way to live? I was rather appalled, and I would have taken the liberty of re-stocking, however since you will not be staying here, there was no need.

I can imagine your face Clarice, shocked and angry that I have invaded your privacy to intrude upon your home ground, it was necessary I felt.

Clarice, I must go, time does not stand still for even me, yes the good doctor has an ego, and I see that you will be returning very shortly.

I will see you soon Clarice,

Regards,

Hannibal Lecter M D

Clarice wants to start again on the swear words, perhaps backwards? He's setting her up, he wanted them to find him, he knew they would put her on the case, and he's BEEN IN HER HOUSE! She picks up her gun again and starts a careful tour of her home, she checks her bedroom last, when she reaches the door she kicks it open in a sudden burst of nervous energy, only to find…

Heh heh. There is some humour in this one, I had some fun, I know it may seem plot less, but I'm just not rushing it. Thank you to all my reviewers! You write great reviews! (Keep on doing so)! I hope I haven't made too many mistakes with the whole American bit, tell me if I do, to tell the truth I've no idea on the FBI, but eiik I hope it doesn't show that much!